Listening
Test takers at Band 8 can typically listen to and process short stretches of speech
to pick out discrete information, and can only somewhat follow detailed instructions.
They can only understand directly-stated facts, attitudes, opinions and purposes in a
limited way. They are also limited in their ability to pick out main ideas and infer
implied meanings. In order to do this, they can keep short sections of what they have
heard in their short-term memory. They can understand vocabulary relating to familiar
and some less familiar topics.
How to improve:
Continue learning more words on more topics. In addition, learn common words and
expressions used in talks and presentations to signal how the talk is organised.
Listen regularly to authentic recordings and video clips on TV or the internet.
Use the subtitles to help you if needed. Beyond main ideas and specific ideas, try
to understand the relationship of one speaker's ideas to another speaker's ideas,
or how a story is developing. Use the clues contained in the language they use.
Reading
Test takers at Band 7 can typically deal with a range of factual and opinion-based
texts that may be relatively complex and dense with information. They are good at
using their vocabulary knowledge to create meaning, both within and across sentences,
on a range of general topics and some specialised ones. They can understand implied
meanings, and have some ability to understand somewhat complex opinions and arguments.
They can generally use reading strategies such as skimming and scanning, and can
generally synthesise information and draw inferences.
How to improve:
Try to read different types of texts, including general and academic texts, and not
just in your subject area. In general interest articles, the main point may come in
a different place than you expect. In academic texts there will be fewer opinions,
or they may be harder to spot. On the other hand, they can be dense with information.
Be aware of the differences, and adjust the reading strategies you use depending on
the text you're reading. Decide when to read carefully and when to read quickly.
In any case, you may want to give yourself a set amount of time, so that even your
careful reading is done more quickly and efficiently.
Writing
Test takers at this band typically try to answer the question but either do not cover
all its key features or bullet points, or their answer is incorrect, or the writing is
not related to the topic. They can present their own view in places, and a few main
ideas. The ideas are not logically arranged and the writing does not lead anywhere.
Test takers can use some basic joining words, but typically cannot use paragraphs in
Task 2. They can use basic vocabulary but spelling mistakes can be strange for the
reader. A few basic sentences are used correctly, but complex sentences are rare,
and overall there are many mistakes in grammar.
How to improve:
Try to learn more English words. For words you already know, learn other words that
are similar in meaning. In addition, learn how words are changed, for example, how
a noun can be turned into an adjective or a verb into an adverb. Pay attention to how
these words are spelled. To improve your spelling, write out these words and check if
you get them right. It's a good idea to read more; seeing words used correctly and
spelled correctly is a good way to learn them. Practice using the different forms of
these words in sentences. Try using them in longer sentences, using commas and
connecting words ("however", "because"). Learn the correct connecting words to use
for different ideas. Then try to write the sentences in different ways but saying the
same thing. Give yourself a topic and write as much as you can about it. Arrange the
sentences into order, using correct connecting words to join up related sentences.
Speaking
Test takers at this band typically cannot keep speaking without noticeable pauses.
Speech may be slow, and there may be frequent repetition or self-correction. There is
only basic linking of ideas, and ideas may be difficult to follow or understand at times.
They have enough vocabulary to talk about familiar topics, but there are very frequent
errors, and there is only basic meaning on unfamiliar topics. They rarely attempt to use
paraphrase. They can use basic grammar structures, and these are sometimes accurate,
but complex grammar structures are rare. The frequent errors in grammar may cause
misunderstanding. Pronunciation has many problems. Words are often mispronounced,
and this causes difficulty for the listener.
How to improve:
Think of topics you don't know about, and learn English words related to them. Use
these new words in sentences, writing them down and arranging them in order. Pick a
few sentences that you can combine into longer sentences. Read aloud the things you
wrote. Do this several times. When you read, focus on pronouncing each sound right.
Group words that go together and say them together without stopping in between. Then,
try to give your talk again without reading. Do this several times, and see if you
can do it more continuously without stopping. Listen to English programmes to help
improve your pronunciation.
